Graeme McDowell thinks World Cup decision is forerunner for Olympics

 

It looks like Graeme McDowell will play for Ireland in 2016. 

There has been anguish in the Rory McIlroy camp and Graeme McDowell camp over the past year over a future decision of who to play for at the 2016 Olympics.

It appears though, that at least for McDowell the decision will be made for him.

McDowell is from Northern Ireland and was going to be able to choose between playing for Ireland (as he always has in the World Cup of Golf) and playing for team Great Britain (made up of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland).

According to this Irish Golf Desk article R&A chief executive Peter Dawson has implied that World Cup appearances within four years of the Olympics will force a golfer's hand. They will have to compete for the same team at the Olympics McDowell is competing in the World Cup this weekend for Ireland as he always has at the World Cup.

McDowell said earlier this week he has always wanted to play for Ireland at the World Cup.

"We grew up wanting to wear the green jacket and have the golf bag with the Ireland logo on it … the Golf Union of Ireland looks after all the players in Ireland and I have always enjoyed being part of that. When it comes to the Olympic discussion, that raises some questions as to who we play for."

He also talked earlier this week about how agonizing the Olympics decision is.

"It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory have not really enjoyed answering questions about the last few years," said McDowell. "It is very difficult to pick a side because you are going to end up upsetting someone from either side, really."

I can't even imagine. McDowell went on to say he agreed with Dawson, that a World Cup appearance was kind of the forerunner to the Olympics.

"I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, you know, with the Olympic regulations, will mean that ... I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016," said McDowell. "Part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision."

I can't really blame him. He's in a lose-lose situation there. It's a good thing that this decision was taken out of his hands but it will be interesting to see how McIlroy responds.

McDowell also has to, you know, actually make the team now.

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Henrik Stenson's caddie buys Ferrari with winnings

Henrik Stenson made a lot of money this year.

It's good to be Henrik Stenson these days. You know who else it's good to be? A family member, friend, or employee of Henrik Stenson.

The Swede raked in close to $20 million on the course (and well over that if you include endorsements) in 2013. If he paid his caddie, Gareth Lord, the typical 5-10 percent of winnings then Lord made around $2 million in 2013.

Here are some golfers who didn't make $2 million playing on the PGA Tour: Rory McIlroy,Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, and Rickie Fowler.

Now those guys are fine, financially, nobody's arguing that, but what a year for Lord.

And according to the Daily Mail he splurged a little bit after Stenson wrapped up the Race to Dubai.

"His caddie Gareth Lord from Coventry has collected so many bonuses he has treated himself to a Ferrari. He's a vital member of Team Stenson, alongside the wise Yorkshire coach, Pete Cowen, who reckons Stenson is only 75 per cent towards the player he can be. ‘It will be fun when I get the other 25 per cent,' said Stenson."

Lord knows, however, it was all his boss' doing.

"'He's hardly missed a shot for six months,'" he said. If he had to pick one blow during that period, it would be the five-iron Stenson played yesterday [at the DP World Championship] on the hardest hole on the Earth Course, the par-four 12th. The flag was cut in an evil spot. 

'You'll have to show some class to get this one close,' said Lord. Stenson's response was a decidedly classy blow to 18 inches.

This whole Ferrari thing is for shame, though, because Ian Poulter has been in such good spirits of late he probably would have let Lord just borrow one of his.

Seriously though, you know you had an amazing season when your caddie can afford to roll up to tournaments next year in a Ferrari.

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